As a youngster, I used to hear about folk who had a mental alarm clock which they set when they went to bed and which woke them up on time. In those days I struggled to wake up even with an alarm clock.

Whether it's to do with age or not, I don't know, but it's years since I've needed an alarm clock and always seem to wake up as required - early or not so early.

These days I can usually wake up in time without the alarm but I still set it if it's an important day. (must admit this morning I could have gone back to sleep when I heard the rain slamming into the window! At least it had eased when I set off for work)

The name that popped into my head when I read your question was Barretts. I've done a search and come up with the following...

"R. A. Barrett & Co. - Ashton-under-Lyne Barretts & Company was the area's premier soft drink manufacturing company for most of the 20th century. It was started in the 1860s when Adam Barrett set up shop on the corner of Brook Street and Welbeck Street in Ashton- under-Lyne. Alongside general provisions Barrett sold ginger beer which he made at the back of shop.

It wasn't long before he was renowned for his ginger beer and in 1873 his son Richard established a small ginger beer factory on Berkeley Street. Three years later he was joined by his brother-in-law, James Makin, and they began producing other soft drinks and mineral waters. The company became known as R.A. Barrett and adopted its diamond-shaped trademark.

During the early 1900s the company expanded still further, employing more than 100 workers and exporting throughout the north west. Barrett's also had the distinction of being the first company in the area to purchase motor-driven vehicles for delivery and, after the First World War, it diversified and began producing health powders, gravy powders and vinegar.

In 1947 the Barrett family involvement in the company ended, but the firm continued under new owners. The family link was resumed in 1955 when Harold Livesay, who was related to the Barrett family by marriage, bought the company. Barretts continued to produce soft drinks until February 1977."